India is a vast and diverse South Asian nation offering ancient temples, vibrant cities, pristine beaches, and the majestic Himalayas. From the iconic Taj Mahal to spiritual Varanasi and tropical Kerala backwaters, India delivers unforgettable experiences across its 28 states and 8 union territories.
- Public
- India's metro rail network in 18 cities is world-class — Delhi Metro alone has 400+ stations. Metro is the best option for city travel. Buses cover everywhere but are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.
- Taxi
- Ola and Uber function excellently across Indian cities with transparent pricing and GPS tracking. Far superior to flagging traditional taxis where overcharging is common.
- Rental
- Self-drive not recommended for most tourists. Car-with-driver is the preferred option for intercity travel and touring. Rates are affordable ($50-100/day all-in).
- Walking
- City centers and old town areas of Delhi, Jaipur, and Kochi are walkable for sightseeing. Heat April-September limits comfortable walking hours to early morning and evening.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Prepaid taxi booths at all major Indian airports offer fixed-rate fares to city zones
- Taxi Info
- Prepaid taxis are safe and metered alternatives to app cabs. Delhi: $8-12 to central Delhi. Mumbai: $15-20 to South Mumbai.
- Shuttle
- Airport Express Metro available in Delhi ($1.50, 20 min) and limited metros in other cities
- Shuttle Info
- Delhi Airport Express runs every 10-15 minutes from Terminal 3 to New Delhi station. Most reliable option for Delhi.
- Bus
- AC airport bus services operate in all major cities from $2-5
- Bus Info
- Delhi DTC Airport Express, Mumbai BEST Airport Bus, and city-specific services. Journey times 45-90 minutes. Google Maps shows routes.
- Private
- Pre-booked private transfers through hotel or booking platform from $30-60
- Private Info
- Worth the premium for late arrivals with luggage. Book through accommodation in advance.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus networks cover all major cities at $0.20-0.80 per journey. DTC in Delhi, BEST in Mumbai, BMTC in Bangalore.
Alternatives
Metro (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata), auto-rickshaw, Uber/Ola app cabs, Rapido bike taxi, cycle rickshaw in old town areas
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $1.50-2.50 base fare + $0.30-0.50/km for traditional metered taxis
- Apps
- Uber, Ola, Rapido (bikes), Meru
- App Names
- Uber, Ola, Rapido, Meru
- Typical Fare
- $3-8 for typical city rides of 5-10 km via Ola/Uber
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
RedBus and government RSRTC/UPSRTC buses from $5-25 per journey. Volvo AC sleeper buses for overnight routes.
Shared
Shared taxis operate on popular tourist routes like Delhi-Jaipur and Manali-Leh at $5-15 per seat
Flights
Domestic flights from $30-150 on IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet. Book 2-3 months ahead for best fares.
Private
Car hire with driver from $50-100/day. Highly recommended over self-drive for tourists unfamiliar with Indian traffic.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Indira Gandhi International Airport
From centre: 16 km from Central Delhi
Options: Airport Express Metro - $1.50, 20 minutes to New Delhi Station; Prepaid taxi - $8-12 to central Delhi; Uber/Ola - $6-10 to central Delhi; Airport bus - $2-3, 45-60 minutes
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
From centre: 28 km from South Mumbai
Options: Prepaid taxi - $15-20 to Colaba/Fort area; Uber/Ola - $12-18 to South Mumbai; Mumbai Metro - $1-2 (limited coverage); Airport bus - $3-5, 60-90 minutes
Kempegowda International Airport
From centre: 35 km from Bangalore city center
Options: KIAS bus - $2-3, 60-90 minutes; Prepaid taxi - $15-20 to city center; Uber/Ola - $12-16 to city center; Car rental - available from $25/day
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
From centre: 17 km from Kolkata city center
Options: Prepaid taxi - $8-12 to city center; Uber/Ola - $6-10 to city center; Airport bus - $1-2, 45-60 minutes; Yellow taxi (metered) - $7-10
Chennai International Airport
From centre: 21 km from Chennai city center
Options: Prepaid taxi - $10-15 to city center; Uber/Ola - $8-12 to city center; Chennai Metro - $0.50-1.50 (limited coverage); Airport bus - $2-3, 60 minutes
Cochin International Airport
From centre: 30 km from Kochi city
Options: Prepaid taxi - $12-18 to Fort Kochi; Uber/Ola - $10-15 to city areas; AC bus - $2-3, 60-75 minutes; Metro feeder bus - $1-2 to metro stations
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Ola
India's dominant ride-hailing app covering 250+ cities. Better coverage than Uber in smaller cities and towns. Offers auto-rickshaw, bike, mini, and sedan options.
IRCTC Rail Connect
Official Indian Railways app for booking train tickets, checking PNR status, and cancellations. Essential for intercity travel by train.
Uber
Works well in all major Indian cities. Slightly better app experience than Ola but less coverage in smaller cities.
RedBus
India's largest bus ticket booking platform covering government and private bus operators across all states. Best for intercity bus travel.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download both Uber and Ola apps before arriving — have both installed as coverage varies by city and time
Book Indian Railways tickets through IRCTC website up to 120 days in advance; Tatkal quota opens 1 day before for last-minute bookings
Always use prepaid taxi booths at airports rather than touts offering rides outside the terminal
Delhi Airport Express Metro connects to New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, and Dwarka stations — fastest and cheapest option into Delhi
Avoid driving in major Indian cities; traffic congestion, aggressive driving, and chaotic lane changes make it stressful for visitors
Metro smart cards save time over buying single tickets; available at all metro stations nationwide